Reba Dell Jackson

Reba Dell Pryor Jackson passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on October 29, 2025. She was born to the late Minnie Pauline Bradley Pryor and Brodie Elmer Pryor on November 15, 1934, in Emerson, Arkansas.

Reba's journey began in Emerson, where she graduated from Emerson High School in 1952. During her high school years, she developed a deep love for basketball, which led her team to a State Championship victory in 1952. The bonds she formed with her classmates remained close throughout her life.

After high school, Reba pursued further education at the Draughon School of Business in Little Rock, Arkansas. She embraced her entrepreneurial spirit as the proud owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in Springhill, Louisiana. Her passion for makeup, fashion, and sales was evident in her successful career. Reba also cherished her time working at the Lady's Specialty Shop in Hope, Arkansas, where she was mentored by Mr. Kelly, who left a lasting impression on her life. Additionally, she dedicated her efforts to the Migrant Education Center in Hope, Arkansas, contributing to the community she loved.

In her retirement years in Ashdown, Arkansas, Reba discovered a new passion for art, studying watercolor painting at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Under the guidance of her mentor and dear friend Linda Duke, she found immense joy in creating beautiful works of art. Her love for beauty extended beyond painting to flowers, gardening, decorating, music, and cooking - all of which she generously shared with family and friends.

Reba was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Pete McKnight and William Joseph Jackson; brother Cecil Louis Pryor; and sister Norma Louise Beaty.

She is lovingly survived by her children Linda McKnight of Conway, AR; Eddie McKnight of Okolona, AR; and Susan (Russell) Kirby of Vivian, LA. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren Brandon (Jodi) Kirby of Gesimer, LA, and Ashlee (Brandon) Hesson of Vivian, LA, as well as her great-grandchildren Maddox and Aubree Kirby, and Leonard Hesson.

Reba is also survived by her nieces Kathy Bishop and Tony Keaton; nephews Ronnie Pryor, Phillip Pryor, and Carl Wayne Keaton; stepsons Terry, Ken, Larry Jackson, Robert Davis; and sister-in-law Sandra Pryor.

Reba Dell Pryor Jackson will forever be remembered for her kind heart, artistic talents, and unwavering love for her family. May she rest in eternal peace.

Reba frequently quoted the maxim "this too shall pass" and found comfort in the words of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT):
"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

A memorial service to celebrate Reba's life will be held on November 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Regency Funeral Home in Malvern, Arkansas. Family, friends, and all who knew her are invited to honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jak's Second Chance Rescue Ranch in Cabot, AR